It’s officially fall which means the Halloween countdown is officially on, and while you may be balancing what Halloween events to hit this month or spending your time visiting NYC’s most extravagantly decorated neighborhoods, you might as well add a haunted house to your list!
Nothing’s quite scarier than walking through a dark mansion and facing ghoulish demons and gory characters, and NYC and its surrounding areas have some great options for you. Are you ready? Get ready to let out some screams and feel your bones chill as you walk through these terrifying adventures!
1. Jimmy Fallon Tonightmares
This brand new haunted house brings to life the nightmares of one of NYC’s most notable figures, Jimmy Fallon! It’s happening now through October 31 at Rockefeller Center, where visitors can strut through some of the TV personality’s most bizarre and terrifying nightmares. From abandoned gas stations to mad scientists, this experience is actually terrifying.
Tickets are on sale now starting at just $37, and be sure to note that you have to be above 14 years of age to enter Tonightmares.
😨 Grab your tickets to Jimmy Fallon Tonightmares here!
2. A Haunting in Hollis
Haunting in Hollis is literally in a residential neighborhood, and yes, a real 3 story home has flipped itself into one of the most frightening haunted houses in NYC. The scary Queens home (appropriately located on Hollis Avenue) is open from October 3 – November 4.
Inside you’ll come face to face with gory actors waiting to jump out and terrorize you, and you’ll have to escape mazes, evade zombies, and confront chaos in a terrifying lab. Plus you can even wield zombie laser guns to vanquish ghouls!
📍 21117 Hollis Avenue, Queens
3. Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Attractions
Although the Headless Horseman haunted house is around 2.5 hours out of NYC, it’s worth a fall getaway to take the Upstate journey. They have multiple haunted houses here that you can choose from, meaning you can spend hours exploring the horrifying estate.
Try walking through “Glutton’s Diner and Slaughter House” attraction without getting scared, or even surviving their blood-curdling “The Lunar Motel” in one piece. They have other less-scary activities too like corn mazes, walking trails, freaky circus shows, and more. It’s officially open now on the weekends through October 27. Read more here.
📍 778 Broadway, Ulster Park, NY
4. Pure Terror Scream Park
Pure Terror Scream Park actually holds a Guinness World Record for the longest walk-through haunted attraction in the world, and that’s why it makes our list. They have 13 haunted attractions which are all equally horrifying, including the new “Jungle Rot” which is new this year.
Battle everyone from vampires to clowns to zombies as you work your way around the park that will leave you with nightmares. The park is about 2 hours from NYC but we definitely recommend it if you can swing it. It’s open for the season from October 4 – November 2! Learn more about it here!
📍 1010 NY-17M, Monroe, NY
5. Bayville Scream Park
Baville Scream Park on Long Island is agonizing, breath-taking, and straight up scary. Whether you decide to try and escape the “Bloodworth Haunted Mansion” or the “Bayville Asylum,” these are only a few of the mind-twisting immersions you can pick from here.
Along with their scary haunted houses, they also have other fun activities like mini golf, axe throwing, and spooky cocktail bars. No matter your age or fear tolerance, you’ll find something that will properly spook you out. It’s open for the season now through November 9, with tickets starting at $49.95! Learn more here.
📍 8 Bayville Avenue, Bayville, NY
6. Ridgewood Asylum
The Ridgewood Asylum combines both haunted house and escape room elements, making it one of the most terrifying and immersive on this list. Guests are invited to explore a narrative centered around a fictional psychiatric hospital with a dark past of paranormal activity. It’s put on by the owners of The Deep End bar, and this year is set to be the haunted house’s biggest version yet…including new attractions and an expanded venue. It’s open for the season October 11 – November 1, with tickets starting at $28. Learn more about this haunted house and grab tickets via the Ridgewood Asylum website.
📍 48 Cypress Ave, Brooklyn, NY